Unsustainable lamb prices threaten CONSUMER choice

The NFU has held talks with New Zealand lamb export bosses to better understand the difficulties faced by each other's supply chains and the poor returns at farm gate on both sides of the world.

NFU livestock board chairman Thomas Binns met the chief executives from PPCS and ANZCO, Keith Cooper and Mark Clarkson, in London together with the chairman of Meat and Wool New Zealand, Mike Petersen, to quiz them over the growing volumes of chilled lamb entering the domestic market.

Mr Binns said "Imports of chilled New Zealand lamb into the UK during the first quarter of the year have climbed steadily during the past four years. This is reflected in the rise of chilled New Zealand lamb being sold at retail level.

"Until we are told otherwise we can only assume that some retailers and processors have over committed on New Zealand products which continues to delay the switch over into home-produced grass-fed lamb. We frequently hear the fine words from retail leaders but there appears to be serious disconnection between senior executives, buyers and packers.

"Some retail bosses are very good at talking the talk, but we need to see them walk the walk. The NFU will be urging retailers to demonstrate their commitment to British lamb, when we meet shortly."

During the meeting, Mr Binns told the New Zealand delegation that the lamb market this spring has been disastrous for British sheep producers with prices significantly down on the previous year. The New Zealand representatives also outlined the difficulties faced by their producers and that sheep farmers were moving out of lamb and into dairy due to poor prices.

Mr Binns said: "Despite our differences this spring there was a clear consensus between both parties that there would be opportunities to grow the European lamb market, particularly in France, for the benefit of farmers in both the UK and New Zealand."